This colorful Surinamese banknote represents the 2nd denomination of the Surinamese Guilder (Series 1991-99). Suriname is a former Dutch colony in South America, associated with the Caribbean. After gaining independence in 1975, the Guilder was retained. It's colorful notes often followed a general theme. Such as the Series 1991, which focused on economic activities.
The Series 1991 was replaced by the Series 2000. A series highly popular with collectors, for it's beautiful illustration of native birds and flowers. It was also the final Surinamese Guilder series produced, as Suriname changed currencies to counter long-term inflation.
On 1 January 2004, the Surinamese Dollar was adopted.
Reverse
The reverse features workers hanging harvested bananas, banana trees can be seen in the background. The banana harvest was a controversial issue, during the time of this note's printing. At the time is state-owned producer, called Surland. Despite selling a cash crop, Surland was chronically unprofitable. In 2002, the company was restructured after failing to pay its employees.
The note's (trans.) "Ten Gulden" value is listed at the upper-left corner. Below "Tien" is a line of microtext, it repeats (trans.) "Central Bank of Suriname". Further below is the note's watermark area. To its right, is an illustration of a White-Throated Toucan, standing on a Hawaiian Hibiscus branch. With the exception of the 5,000 and 10,000 Gulden, this image is seen throughout the series.
Moving to the upper-right corner is the Suriname Coat of Arms (1975 version). It depict a pair of Arawak man, supporting a shield with a ship, diamond, and royal palm. They represent the nation's colonial past and the rain forest. Below the note's "10 Gulden" value is repeated. The number "10" rests on a decorative backing.
At the note's footer is additional text. The left side lists the note's printer "Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited. While the right features a brief counterfeit warning. It reads, (trans.) "Copy Forbidden: Suriname Penal Code-Article 260". As the Surinamese Guilder is now defunct, this warning no longer applies.
Observe
The observe features an illustration of Central Bank of Suriname building, in Paramaribo. The Dutch language header reads the (trans.) "Central Bank of Suriname". Below the word "Centrale", is an image of a buddle of bananas and a number "10". Representing the note's Ten Gulden value. The note's (trans.) "1 December 1996" print date is listed, at the lower-right of the bank building.
Moving further below are additional details. Moving left to right, we can see one of the note's dual-serial numbers (AJ073030). Below it is the signature of the Bank President. Followed by a guilloche security stamp, no latent image appears to be present.
To the right of this stamp is an image of a Hawaiian Hibiscus. The note's (trans.) "Ten Gulden" face value is printed above it. Further to the right is a colorful strip, separating the note's watermark area. This strip features repeating rows of micro-text, it reads "CBVS". The initials of the "Centrale Bank Van Suriname" (Central Bank of Suriname).
Moving to the watermark area, the note's "10 Gulden" value is repeated. Besides it is a vertical serial number, in red ink. This ink is sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV) and will glow bright green. Doing will also expose hidden a "CBvS", on the bank building. While backlighting the note with bright light, will expose a Toucan watermark.
Additional Notes
This note's dimensions are 146 x 67 mm or 5.75 x 2.64 inn, wider than a US Dollar.
The preferable method to preserve this note are standard sized protective sleeves.
The Surinamese Guilder ISO code was SRG, it used both ƒ and fl as symbols.
The Surinamese Guilder was subdivided into 100 Cents, coins were in Cents and Guilder.